The Acting Director, administering the NYSC formations in the Southwest geopolitical zone, Mrs. Olubukola Oluwaremilekun Abiodun has encouraged corps members to make humility their greatest asset during and after the service year.
The Acting Director made the admonition when she addressed the 2024 Batch 'A' (Stream 1) corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko.
The NYSC Overseer in the Southwest geopolitical zone asserted that the problem with the present day youth is their inability to comprehend the wisdom of the older generations, thinking that their education and exposure are enough for a guaranteed future.
"My Corps Members, truth must be told and I will not shy away from the responsibility as a mother who has seen both sides of the divide. Humility will break lots of iron doors and open many vistas of opportunities which your credentials cannot do. Wherever you find yourselves in the course of service to the fatherland, try to be humble and respect everyone as they may be your saving grace or destiny helpers".
"We have 774 Local Governments in the country today and in all these Local Governments, you will see or meet with several corps members which typifies that you are not the first graduate nor will you be the last to participate in this noble Scheme. You must come down from your chair of pride and respect everyone regardless of their tribes or religious affiliations. Let the attitude that you put up tell the world that you are well-cultured and well brought up".
Abiodun, who spoke passionately as a Mother of youths asserted that corps members should not rely solely on their certificates or certifications but enhance their economic value by incorporating themselves into the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
The Acting Director, who was known for her great exploits as 'Mama SAED' during her sojourn in Oyo Secretariat as a result of the ingenuity she displayed which attracted corps members who had earlier shown apathy to embrace the intervention said that the programme will put food on their tables and enhance their status in the society.
"My dear children, the greatest benefit you will derive from enlisting in this laudable Scheme is your ability to harness the potentials provided by the SAED. Not only that, how well you embrace both the in-camp and post-camp trainings will determine how far you will succeed in years to come. I am not saying you will buy or ride expensive car in the next few months but I can assure you that you are on your way to greatness and stardom if you set aside your partisan beliefs and join the train of upcoming, budding entrepreneurs and captains of industries".
"NYSC management came up with this life-changing intervention 12 years ago when the managers of the laudable Scheme noted that a great number of graduate youths are been churned out into the labour market as a result of growing unemployment amongst them which portends bad image for the country.
"To stem this ugly tide, SAED came on board and ever since, it has been positive stories from both serving and ex-corps members. I want to admonish you to join the league of future poverty breakers and employers of labour rather than seeking shrinking and elusive paid jobs" she counseled.
She advised them to harness the potentials provided by the laudable Scheme to reduce to a great extent, the level of unemployment in the society asserting that the programme introduced 12 years ago has what it takes to drive the economy of Nigeria out of the woods.
The one time State Coordinator in Edo State charged members of the service corps to promote unity and integration by establishing and maintaining relationships that transcend ethnic groups or religious affiliations, noting that NYSC remained the only institution in the country that has all Nigerians under her platform irrespective of social or cultural backgrounds.
"Relationships is an investment and I want to urge you to use NYSC platform to start investing in your friends and colleagues. Who knows, God can blossom the relationship to become associates or group of companies, and better still, it may lead to everlasting relationships that will produce conjugal blessings and happy home.
"Do not despise little beginning. What you have acquired academically is a foundation that you need to build on to advance and promote the objectives which the founding fathers propounded when the Scheme was established almost 51 years ago".
She continued, 'there is nothing new that I am going to tell you that you have not heard either from your mummy, the State Coordinator and other distinguished personalities who have come to the camp to celebrate you as I have come to reiterate what they said and I am saying now that you should be your own Chief Security Officer and never be on the wrong side of the law'.
Abiodun, who is a Volleyballer of national reckoning and has equally coached successful teams in the country reminded the corps members to respect the culture and tradition of their host communities.
The host State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani in her brief eulogised the acting Director for coming to see how her children are faring.
The State Coordinator who informed the visiting Director that the corps members have exhibited high sense of discipline and commitment to all camp programmes and activities, averred that NYSC will continue to mould, nurture and mentor these productive and focused graduate youths for personal empowerment as well as overall national development.
The representatives of the corps members entertained the acting Director who in return appreciated some groups of corps members for their outstanding performances.
The Acting Director admonished members of staff to work towards returning the Scheme to the old glorious days by making integrity, honesty and hard work their watchwords.
She said that the image of the Scheme in recent years have given the management serious concern and sleepless nights as she appealed to them to give their best in the face of the present economic downturn which is affecting all human endeavours.
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